Article - 03/03/2014 Taking a drug taxi across the blood-brain barrier The central nervous system CNS which integrates the information it receives from all parts of the body is perhaps the most sensitive organ we have. As toxic compounds are able to disturb brain function enormously the brain is separated from circulating blood by a highly selective permeability barrier known as the blood-brain barrier. However the downside of this protection is that 98 percent of all drugs targeting the CNS cannot pass the barrier.…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/taking-a-drug-taxi-across-the-blood-brain-barrier
Article - 13/01/2014 Mechanisms of membrane protein insertion Prof. Dr. Irmgard Sinning, biochemist and structural biologist at the University of Heidelberg, will be awarded the 2014 Leibniz Prize from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for her work on the structure and function of complexes that transport different membrane proteins to the correct cellular compartments in the appropriate target membranes. Her research is primarily focussed on the co-translational SRP pathway mediated by signal…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/mechanisms-of-membrane-protein-insertion
Article - 16/12/2013 Light-activated enzymes for novel optogenetic approaches In a project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg are studying algal and bacterial photoreceptors that can be used as optogenetic tools for studying regulatory and metabolic pathways. Through the insertion of a light-activated bacterial enzyme into zebrafish, the researchers have been able to visualise a hormonal reaction chain that is induced by stress…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/light-activated-enzymes-for-novel-optogenetic-approaches
Article - 23/09/2013 Giorgos Pyrowolakis to investigate the playground of evolution Amazing but true: the basic state of a cell theoretically enables it to develop into any other possible cell. However, certain signalling molecules (morphogens) and the quantity in which they are present cause cells to develop into specific cells. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, they may become part of the wing, part of a leg or an intestinal cell. Dr. Giorgos Pyrowolakis, a developmental biologist at BIOSS (Centre for Biological…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/giorgos-pyrowolakis-to-investigate-the-playground-of-evolution
Dossier - 09/09/2013 New trends in the field of immunology B- and T- lymphocytes along with macrophages have long been regarded as the most important cells of the human immune system and have thus been a major focus of research. This has now changed and it is now the dendritic cells that are regarded as the major components of the adaptive immune system and have become a major focus of scientific interest. Research into innate immune defence mechanisms has also become more important due to the discovery…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/dossier/new-trends-in-the-field-of-immunology
Article - 08/07/2013 Christine Goffinet: independent and successful AIDS researchers Christine Goffinet, 36, from the Institute of Molecular Virology at the University of Ulm has already received numerous awards for her research on AIDS. She was recently awarded a scholarship for postdoctoral lecture qualification under the Margarete von Wrangell Habilitation Programme. However, before she became a virologist, Goffinet chose a career path that was quite different from the standard career path seen on many scientific CVs.https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/christine-goffinet-independent-and-successful-aids-researchers
Article - 17/06/2013 Evolution of light perception networks in plants Genetically identical plants develop rather differently depending on the light conditions in which they live. In the dark the plant grows in length in order to reach the sunlight needed for photosynthesis. Exposed to light the plant then switches to a different development programme becomes green and assembles its photosynthesis machinery. Prof. Dr. Andreas Hiltbrunner from the University of Freiburg is interested in finding out how the…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/evolution-of-light-perception-networks-in-plants
Article - 24/04/2013 Tobias Huber – interested in biology and life Prof. Dr. Tobias Huber’s specific and major interest concerns the most hidden structures of the human body of all things. Huber and his team at the Freiburg University Medical Centre are investigating the structure, genetics and function of the kidneys, which are the most important natural filtering organs in the human body. Working with researchers from the BIOSS cluster of excellence, Huber identified a signalling pathway which has been shown…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/tobias-huber-interested-in-biology-and-life
Article - 08/04/2013 The first major cell migration It is of crucial importance that cells stick tightly together where their function requires them to do so for example in organs such as the heart and the liver to name but two examples. However it is equally crucial that cells start to migrate at some stage during embryonic development in order to form such organs. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Driever from the Institute of Biology I at the University of Freiburg and his team have elucidated the molecular…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-first-major-cell-migration
Article - 04/03/2013 Genomic structural variations can cause cancer Genome-wide sequencing analyses show that comprehensive structural variations of chromosomes can play a key role in the pathogenesis of many types of cancer. Dr. Jan Korbel’s research group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg has been investigating chromosomal aberrations in paediatric brain tumours and early-onset prostate cancer.https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/genomic-structural-variations-can-cause-cancer
Article - 11/02/2013 Cholesterol boosts the memory of the immune system Cholesterol has been demonised for a long time as high cholesterol levels are seen as major risk factors for atherosclerosis myocardial infarction and gallstones. However cholesterol is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes and is required for proper membrane function. It exists in huge quantities in the human body. In addition to being essential for cell survival and hence all animal life in general cholesterol also plays a crucial…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/cholesterol-boosts-the-memory-of-the-immune-system
Article - 04/02/2013 G protein-coupled receptors and their importance for research and development Brian Kobilka and Robert Lefkowitz were awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking discoveries of the inner workings of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These transmembrane receptors play a key role in the processing of odours and the recognition of hormones. The work of the two American scientists has had an impact on many researchers around the world. In the following interview, Professor Dr. Daniel Legler, head of…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/g-protein-coupled-receptors-and-their-importance-for-research-and-development
Article - 14/01/2013 Boehringer takes a deep breath: a look into the company’s respiratory R&D pipeline At its 3rd International Research & Development (R&D) press conference, Boehringer Ingelheim gave journalists insights into its R&D pipeline. Around 200 scientists at the company’s site in Biberach are investigating new treatment options for patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, idiopathic lung fibrosis, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. In addition, the researchers are also focusing on the…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/boehringer-takes-a-deep-breath-a-look-into-the-company-s-respiratory-r-d-pipeline
Article - 07/01/2013 Small RNAs and immunological reactions Patients with common variable immunodeficiency CVID lack antibodies that would protect them against infections. Only a handful of patients develop the disease because of a single defect in any of the genes involved in CVID pathogenesis. A group of researchers led by Dr. Ulrich Salzer at the Centre for Chronic Immunodeficiency CCI at the University of Freiburg Medical Centre investigates how small RNA molecules control B-lymphocyte development as…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/small-rnas-and-immunological-reactions
Press release - 18/12/2012 Phenex enters into a research collaboration and license agreement with Janssen Phenex Pharmaceuticals AG Phenex today announced it has entered into an agreement with Janssen Biotech Inc. and its affiliates Janssen to jointly discover compounds that target the nuclear hormone receptor RORT and may have utility in the treatment of chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disorders including rheumatoid arthritis psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/phenex-enters-into-a-research-collaboration-and-license-agreement-with-janssen
Article - 17/12/2012 rent-a-lab – the bioassay specialist rent-a-lab has been offering services to detect and determine the quantity of biomolecules for around ten years. The company is mainly focused on studies related to the binding of biomolecules to GTP-binding protein-coupled receptors, a field that has attracted a great deal of attention following the award of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012 for the identification of this important class of receptors. https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/rent-a-lab-the-bioassay-specialist
Article - 03/12/2012 Differences between white, brown and “brite” fat tissue The latest results on the different metabolic pathways used by white and brown fat cells and potential transformations between the two cell types were discussed at the conference “Metabolism 2012: From Signalling to Disease” held on 15th and 16th November 2012 in Heidelberg. A special cell type, so-called “brite” adipocytes, may have the potential to be used in the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases such as diabetes.https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/differences-between-white-brown-and-brite-fat-tissue
Guest article - 26/11/2012 Field report: five months in Shanghai I spent five months from June to November 2012 at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institute of Biological Sciences and Cell Biology. This stay was made possible by a grant I received from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science Research and the Arts. I spent five months working in the laboratory of Professor Xu on a project aimed at deciphering the process of T-cell receptor signalling. https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/field-report-five-months-in-shanghai
Press release - 09/11/2012 Apogenix’s Apocept™ for glioblastoma multiforme named one of “Top 10 Projects to Watch” Apogenix a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel protein therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases announced that its lead product Apocept APG101 has been selected by Elsevier Business Intelligence and Windhover Conferences as one of oncologys Top 10 Projects To Watch.https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/apogenix-s-apocept-for-glioblastoma-multiforme-named-one-of-top-10-projects-to-watch
Press release - 26/10/2012 What causes chronic bowel disease? Europe-wide network for investigating irritable bowel syndrome headed by Heidelberg University HospitalEuropean Science Foundation provides 500000 euros in funding for understanding causes improving options for diagnosis and treatment.https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/what-causes-chronic-bowel-disease
Article - 22/10/2012 The crème de la crème of contact allergy tests goes in vitro As of 2013 all cosmetic products containing a chemical with inherent skin sensitisation potential must be tested without the traditional animal testing. Prof. Dr. Stefan Martin from the Department of Dermatology at the University of Freiburg Medical Centre and his partners have been looking for alternatives to animal testing and have come up with the most specific in vitro test there has ever been. The researchers involved in the project have…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/the-cr-me-de-la-cr-me-of-contact-allergy-tests-goes-in-vitro
Article - 15/10/2012 Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar and the link between the nervous and vascular systems Dr. Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar from the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Centre has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant to study the molecular similarities between the nervous and vascular systems. The researcher showed that angiogenic factors such as VEGF also control the growth of neuronal cells and may be responsible for disorders in the development of nervous systems.https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/carmen-ruiz-de-almod-var-and-the-link-between-the-nervous-and-vascular-systems
Article - 15/10/2012 Vegetables help fend off bacteria in the intestines Their discovery in the human intestines came as quite a surprise up until a few years ago LTi lymphoid tissue inducer - cells were only known to be involved in the embryonic development of the immune system. A team of researchers led by Prof. Dr. Andreas Diefenbach from the University of Freiburg Medical Centre has since been able to show the protective role played by LTi cells in fortifying the intestinal wall as a reaction to nutrients found…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/vegetables-help-fend-off-bacteria-in-the-intestines
Article - 08/10/2012 A systems biology approach to understanding tumour growth Researchers at the Center Systems Biology in Stuttgart are developing multi-scale models of tumour growth with the aim of predicting how drugs spread and disperse in the tissue. The simulations can also take into account potential effects of pharmacological compounds and irradiation. The method will benefit researchers and clinicians by assisting them in their efforts to develop more efficient therapies. https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/a-systems-biology-approach-to-understanding-tumour-growth
Article - 10/09/2012 Osamu Tabata – DNA origami for assembling nanomachines Cells, receptor proteins, enzymes and DNA have outstanding properties. The question is, can they also be used as building blocks in computer processors, sensor systems and other micromachines in next generation microelectronics? In cooperation with his research group at the University of Kyoto and his partners in Freiburg, Prof. Dr. Osamu Tabata, microengineer and External Senior Fellow at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) is…https:////www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/osamu-tabata-dna-origami-for-assembling-nanomachines